KR102372720B1 - 7 Segment using side light source - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to 7 segments using a side light source that can display numbers by arranging a light source on the side of the light emitting unit and emitting light to the front through diffuse reflection. The present invention relates to a 7-segment display in which 7 segments are generally arranged in a figure 8 shape to indicate numbers; the segment; a light transmitting unit formed of a transparent material and transmitting light generated from a light source installed on the side to the light emitting unit; a light emitting unit formed to a predetermined depth in the center or one side of the light transmitting unit; It provides 7 segments using a side light source including a light source installed on one side or both sides of the light transmitting unit to irradiate light to the side of the light transmitting unit.

Description

7 Segment using side light source

The present invention relates to a 7 segment using a side light source, and more particularly, to a 7 segment using a side light source that can display numbers by arranging a light source on the side of the light emitting unit and emitting light to the front through diffuse reflection.

7-segment indicator refers to a device made to display the numbers 0 to 9. Seven light emitting diodes (LEDs) are arranged in a figure 8 shape, and each bar type light emitting diode is It refers to a device that is lit to display a decimal number.

In this case, in the indicator, 7 segments each formed of one light emitting diode form a figure 8 shape, and a connection pin is formed at the bottom of the 7-segment indicator.

In such a 7-segment display, each light emitting diode in the shape of a bar is called a segment, and since 7 light emitting diodes are used, it is called a 7-segment display.

The conventional 7-segment display has a bar-type light emitting diode or LCD (Liquid Crystal Diaplay) built in, respectively, and a current is applied to display a number through the light-emitting segments.

The conventional 7-segment display has a problem in that the manufacturing cost is high because a bar-type light emitting diode or LCD is integrally formed with a resistor. Moreover, as 7 segments are produced through injection molding, the initial capital is high (mass production by mold) and insensitive to changes in size. In addition, as the existing 7-segment display is manufactured at a low price, the color of the light emitting element is limited to red, blue, yellow, green, etc., and the luminance is weak and the contrast between each segment is not clear, so the discrimination power is lowered. has (see FIG. 1).

In addition, the existing 7-segment display assembles a light emitting body such as an LED on a substrate and then emits light, so it is difficult to add design elements. Most are produced. Therefore, there is a need for a 7-segment indicator that can be improved and used in various fields.

(0001) Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0071983 (0002) Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2003-0079679

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention is to provide a 7 segment using a side light source that can display numbers by arranging a light source on the side of the light emitting unit and emitting light to the front through diffuse reflection.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention provides a 7-segment display in which 7 segments are arranged in a figure of 8 as a whole to display numbers; the segment; a light transmitting unit formed of a transparent material and transmitting light generated from a light source installed on the side to the light emitting unit; a light emitting unit located in the light transmitting unit and emitting light using diffuse reflection; And it provides 7 segments using a side light source including a light source installed on one side or both sides of the light transmitting unit for irradiating light to the side of the light transmitting unit.

In an embodiment, the light emitting unit may be formed to a predetermined depth in the light transmitting unit.

In one embodiment, the light transmitting unit and the light emitting unit may include a light blocking means for preventing the transmission of light on the outer surface.

In one embodiment, the light blocking means may be a polarizing film.

In an embodiment, the polarizing film may be installed such that the direction of the polarization axis is a diagonal line, and the polarization axis and the polarization axis of the adjacent light transmission unit are opposite to each other.

In one embodiment, the light emitting unit may include a bottom portion parallel to the light source direction and a wall portion perpendicular to the light source direction, and light transmitted by the light transmitting unit may be diffusely reflected to an inner surface to emit light.

In one embodiment, the light emitting unit may include a light diffusing means on the bottom and the wall portion.

In one embodiment, the light source may be arranged on both sides of the 7 segment.

In an embodiment, the seven-segment may include a driver for controlling the light source and a controller for receiving an external signal and transmitting a light source control signal to the driver.

The present invention also provides a watch including the seven segments.

In an embodiment, the watch includes a first time display 7 segment, a second time display 7 segment, a first minute display 7 segment, and a second minute display 7 segment,

The second minute display 7 segment; supplying power to the light sources connected to the upper segment, the upper left segment, the upper right segment, the lower left segment, the lower right segment, and the lower segment, and turning off the electric power to the light source connected to the central segment; cutting off power to the upper segment, upper left segment, lower left segment and lower segment; supplying power to the light sources connected to the upper segment, the center segment, the lower left segment, and the lower segment, and cutting off power to the light sources connected to the lower right segment; supplying power to the light source connected to the lower right segment and cutting off power to the light source connected to the lower left segment; supplying power to the light source connected to the upper left segment and shutting off power to the light source connected to the upper segment and the lower segment; supplying power to the light source connected to the upper segment and the lower segment, and cutting off power to the light source connected to the upper right segment; supplying power to a light source connected to the lower left segment; supplying power to the light source connected to the upper right segment, and cutting off power to the light source connected to the upper left segment, the central segment, the lower left segment, and the lower segment; supplying power to a light source connected to the upper left segment, the middle segment, the lower left segment, and the lower segment; and repeating the steps of cutting off power to the light source connected to the lower left segment at regular time intervals according to the passage of time,

Each time the lower left segment of the second minute display 7 segment is lit 4 times after the first light, a signal is transmitted to the first minute display 7 segment,

When the first minute 7-segment receives a signal transmitted from the second minute 7-segment,

supplying power to the light sources connected to the upper segment, the upper left segment, the upper right segment, the lower left segment, the lower right segment, and the lower segment, and turning off the electric power to the light source connected to the central segment; cutting off power to the upper segment, upper left segment, lower left segment and lower segment; supplying power to the light sources connected to the upper segment, the center segment, the lower left segment, and the lower segment, and cutting off power to the light sources connected to the lower right segment; supplying power to the light source connected to the lower right segment and cutting off power to the light source connected to the lower left segment; supplying power to the light source connected to the upper left segment and shutting off power to the light source connected to the upper segment and the lower segment; and sequentially repeating the steps of supplying power to the light source connected to the upper segment and the lower segment, and cutting off power to the light source connected to the upper right segment, step by step,

Each time the lower left segment of the first minute display 7 segment is lit twice, a signal is transmitted to the second time display segment 7,

When the second time display 7 segment receives a signal transmitted from the first minute display 7 segment,

supplying power to the light sources connected to the upper right segment and the lower right segment, then cutting off power to the upper segment, the middle segment, the lower left segment, and the lower segment, and transmitting a signal to the first time display 7 segment; supplying power to the light sources connected to the upper segment, the center segment, the lower left segment, and the lower segment, and cutting off power to the light sources connected to the lower right segment; supplying power to the light source connected to the lower right segment and cutting off power to the light source connected to the lower left segment; supplying power to the light source connected to the upper left segment and shutting off power to the light source connected to the upper segment and the lower segment; supplying power to the light source connected to the upper segment and the lower segment, and cutting off power to the light source connected to the upper right segment; supplying power to a light source connected to the lower left segment; supplying power to the light source connected to the upper right segment, and cutting off power to the light source connected to the upper left segment, the central segment, the lower left segment, and the lower segment; supplying power to a light source connected to the upper left segment, the middle segment, the lower left segment, and the lower segment; powering off the light source connected to the lower left segment; supplying power to the light source connected to the lower left segment, cutting off power to the light source connected to the central segment, and transmitting a signal to the first 7 segment of the time display; cutting off power to the upper segment, upper left segment, lower left segment and lower segment; and supplying power to the light source connected to the upper segment, the center segment, the lower left segment, and the lower segment, and turning off the power to the light source connected to the lower right segment, sequentially repeating one step at a time,

When the first time display 7 segment receives a signal transmitted from the second time display 7 segment,

supplying power to a light source connected to the upper segment, upper left segment, upper right segment, lower left segment, lower right segment and lower segment; And the step of cutting off power to the upper segment, upper left segment, lower left segment, and lower segment segment may be sequentially repeated one step at a time.

The 7-segment using the side light source according to the present invention can be manufactured to have a thin thickness, unlike the existing 7-segment, and as it is made of a transparent material and emits light, it has excellent aesthetics and can be easily installed in a narrow space. It can be used as an interior accessory.

In addition, since the 7-segment using the side light source according to the present invention has excellent light emitting ability and can express colors using light sources having various colors, it can be used as a light source as well as simply displaying numbers.

1 is a photograph showing a conventionally used 7 segment.
2 shows the structure of a 7-segment according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 shows a transverse cross-section of a 7-segment according to an embodiment of the present invention, (A) a schematic view of the 7-segment of the present invention, (B) (A) A side view cut along XX` of the drawing .
4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a light transmitting unit and a light emitting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a view showing the operation methods of the light transmitting unit and the light emitting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) when light is not supplied from the light source, (B) when light is supplied from the light source, respectively. .
6 shows a vertical cross-section of a 7-segment according to an embodiment of the present invention, (A) a schematic view of the 7-segment of the present invention, (B) (A) shows a side cut along XX` of the drawing .
7 is a view showing a light blocking means according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) without the light blocking means and (B) with the light blocking means respectively.
8 illustrates a state in which natural light passing through a polarizing plate is changed to polarized light.
9 shows the light transmission pattern according to the arrangement of the polarizing plate. (A) shows the light transmission according to the direction of the polarizing plate, and (B) shows the light transmission according to the parallel and right angles of the polarizing plane. .
10 is a diagram illustrating that the light blocking means according to an embodiment of the present invention extends to a part of the light transmitting part to cover the light source.
11 is a diagram illustrating a 7-segment number expression method according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a view showing whether a light source is lit according to each number.
12 is a diagram schematically illustrating a connection between a driving unit and a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. In describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known technology may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. Throughout the specification, when a part "includes" a certain component, it means that other components may be further included, rather than excluding other components, unless otherwise stated.

Since the present invention can apply various transformations and can have various embodiments, specific embodiments are illustrated and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The technology disclosed herein is not limited to the implementations described herein and may be embodied in other forms. However, the embodiments introduced herein are provided so that the disclosed content may be thorough and complete, and the technical spirit of the present technology may be sufficiently conveyed to those skilled in the art. In order to clearly express the components of each device in the drawings, the sizes such as widths and thicknesses of the components are slightly enlarged. In the description of the drawings as a whole, it has been described from an observer's point of view, and when an element is referred to as being positioned on another element, this means that the element may be positioned directly on the other element or an additional element may be interposed between the elements. include In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will be able to implement the spirit of the present invention in various other forms without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. In addition, the same reference numerals in the plurality of drawings refer to elements that are substantially the same as each other.

Terms used in the present invention are only used to describe specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the present invention, terms such as include or have are intended to designate that a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification exists, but one or more other features, number, step , it should be understood that it does not preclude the possibility of the existence or addition of , operation, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

On the other hand, the meaning of the terms described in this specification should be understood as follows. Terms such as “first” or “second” are for distinguishing one component from other components, and the scope of rights should not be limited by these terms. For example, a first component may be termed a second component, and similarly, a second component may also be termed a first component.

In addition, the singular expression should be understood to include the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, and terms such as “comprise” or “have” refer to the described feature, number, step, operation, component, or part. or a combination thereof, but it should be understood that it does not preclude in advance the possibility of the existence or addition of one or more other features or numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof. In addition, in performing the method or the manufacturing method, each process constituting the method may occur differently from the specified order unless a specific order is clearly described in context. That is, each process may occur in the same order as specified, may be performed substantially simultaneously, or may be performed in the reverse order.

The present invention relates to a 7-segment display in which 7 segments are generally arranged in a figure 8 shape to indicate numbers; the segment; a light transmitting unit formed of a transparent material and transmitting light generated from a light source installed on the side to the light emitting unit; a light emitting unit located in the light transmitting unit and emitting light using diffuse reflection; And it relates to a 7 segment using a side light source including a light source installed on one side or both sides of the light transmitting unit for irradiating light to the side of the light transmitting unit.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the present invention displays numbers using seven segments 100 . At this time, the 7 segment consists of seven light emitting parts of the upper part 131, the upper left 132a, the upper right 132b, the central part 133, the lower left 134a, the lower right 134b, and the lower part 135, The number is expressed by independently controlling the light emission of each segment. Although only the segment 100 having a hexagonal light emitting part is disclosed in the drawing, it is also possible to use a segment having a rectangular light emitting part or a curved light emitting part separately from this.

Hereinafter, common items of each segment will be described.

In the present invention, the segment is composed of a light transmitting unit (111, 112a, 112b, 113, 114a, 114b, 115), a light emitting unit (131, 132a, 132b, 133, 134a, 134b, 135), the light source (120) can be

Hereinafter, the invention will be described using the lower left segment among the segments (refer to FIGS. 3 and 4).

The light transmitting unit 114a serves to transmit the light emitted from the light source 120 to the light emitting unit 134a, and the light source 120 may be located on one side or both sides. As described above, the light source positioned on the side emits light toward the side of the light transmitting unit 114a, and the light incident on the side is transmitted to the light emitting unit 134a through reflection from the inside.

Looking at this in detail, the light incident from the side reaches the surface S1 of the transparent material (medium with high density) constituting the light transmitting part 114a, and air, which is a medium with low density, exists outside the surface. will do In this case, when the angle between the incident light and the vertical plane of the medium is greater than a certain angle (critical angle), the light does not pass through the boundary surface S1 of the medium and is reflected back to the inside. In the case of the light source 120 of the present invention, since it is disposed on the narrow side of the light transmission unit 114a, most of the light reaches the surface S1 of the transparent material with an angle greater than this critical angle, and thus total reflection occurs inside the light source 120 may be reflected back to the light emitting unit 134a (see FIG. 5).

The light transmitting part can be used without limitation as long as it is a material that easily causes total reflection as described above, but preferably a transparent material such as acrylic, epoxy, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene terephthalate, more preferably acrylic or epoxy resin. It is preferable to use a polymer of

In addition, in order to increase the total reflection efficiency as described above, the light transmitting part may be manufactured by bonding two or more types of polymer resins. The total reflection phenomenon as described above occurs when light passes from a medium with a high density to a medium with a low density. In general, the outside of the light transmitting part is exposed to air, so air is used as a low-density medium. However, when two or more types of polymer resins are bonded together, a polymer resin with a high density is used for the inside, and a polymer resin with a low density is used for the outside. By using it, the total reflection phenomenon as described above can be used. This technology is used to manufacture optical fibers, and the central part with high density is called the core, and the outer part with low density is called cladding. In the case of the present invention as well, since the light emitted from the light source is transmitted in a certain direction like the optical fiber, the efficiency of light transmission can be increased by laminating a low-density polymer resin on the outside of the light transmission part like the cladding of the optical fiber.

As the thickness of the light transmitting unit increases, a light source having a larger size may be used, and thus a large amount of light may be transmitted to the light emitting unit. However, as the thickness increases, the critical angle of light around the light source may become smaller, so a so-called ‘light leakage’ phenomenon may appear. Since this light leakage phenomenon additionally emits light on the main surface of the light source unit, unwanted light emission may appear, and the amount of light emitted from the light emitting unit may decrease as a portion of the light transmitted to the light emitting unit is exposed. Accordingly, the light transmitting part may be manufactured to have a thickness less than a predetermined thickness. However, if the thickness is too thin than the light emitting point of the light source, the thickness to which the light generated from the light source is incident is reduced, and thus the amount of incident light may be reduced, thereby reducing the amount of light emitted. Accordingly, the light transmitting parts 111, 112a, 112b, 113, 114a, 114b, and 115 may have a thickness of 1 to 10 mm, preferably 3 to 8 mm, more preferably 5 to 6 mm. When the light transmitting part has a thickness of less than 1 mm, it is difficult to enter the light to the side of the light transmitting part using the light source, and at the same time, the thickness of the light emitting part formed in the intaglio may be lowered, so that the amount of light emission may decrease, and the thickness of the light transmitting part is exceeded. In this case, the amount of light transmitted to the light emitting part may be reduced as a lot of light is transmitted around the light source and a light leakage phenomenon occurs.

In addition, a light blocking means 116 may be included on a side surface of the light transmission unit. Each segment of the present invention is configured to be adjacent to each other with a small gap as shown in FIG. 6 . When this is cut with reference to XX` of FIG. 6 ((B) of FIG. 6), the light transmitting units 111, 112a, 113, 114a, and 115 constituting each segment may be disposed with very small intervals. . At this time, the light emitted from the light source may be transmitted to the light emitting unit through the light transmitting unit 113 and may also be introduced into the adjacent light transmitting unit 114a (FIG. 6(A)). A light blocking means 116 may be used to prevent inflow into the transmission unit (see FIGS. 6 and 7 (B)).

Hereinafter, it will be described with reference to FIG. 7 . 7 is an enlarged view of the central light transmitting unit 113 and the lower left light transmitting unit 114a. The light blocking means 116 introduces the light emitted from the light source into the light transmitting unit 114a of another segment adjacent to the light transmitting unit 113 while passing through the light emitting unit (Fig. 7(a)). ) and is used as a means to prevent unwanted light emission. At this time, the light blocking means 116 may be manufactured to block the inflow and outflow of light from all directions by enclosing the entire side surface of the light transmission unit, but is installed at a point adjacent to the light source so that the light emitted from the light source can be introduced It is preferable not to The light blocking means 116 may be manufactured using an opaque tape made of a metal or polymer material that simply blocks light. It is preferable to block the light using a polarizing film.

A polarizing film means a film that transmits only light vibrating in a certain direction (see FIG. 8). Although it is a seemingly transparent film, it is a film that transmits only light vibrating in the direction of the polarization axis of the film. In general, light vibrates in all directions and travels in a straight line. In the case of polarized light, light is composed of only light vibrating in a certain direction. Such polarization can pass well through a polarizing film having the same polarization axis as the vibration direction, but cannot pass through a polarizing film having a polarization axis perpendicular to the vibration direction, so that light can be blocked even though it is a transparent film. Therefore, when the polarization axes of the polarizing film are vertically opposed, light can be completely blocked (refer to FIG. 9(A)).

Looking at this in detail, the general arrangement of the polarizing film is used by disposing a film having a vertical polarization axis and a film having a horizontal polarization axis, respectively. However, in the present invention, when a vertical polarizing film is attached to the side of the light transmitting unit of the upper segment, a horizontal polarizing film must be disposed on the side of the adjacent upper left and upper right segment light transmitting unit. However, in this arrangement, the light emitted from the upper left segment may reach the upper right segment to cause unwanted light emission. In order to prevent this, by disposing the polarization axis of the polarizing film diagonally, the light emission of each segment can be separated. That is, in the case of using a film having a polarization axis oriented from upper left to lower right or from upper right to lower left, the light emitted from each segment cannot enter the adjacent segment as they are vertically opposed on the opposite sides. While maintaining the transparency of the side of the segment, it is possible to prevent unwanted light from entering between the segments (refer to (B) of FIG. 9 ).

In addition, the light blocking means 116 may be installed to extend above or below the light transmitting part. In the case of the light transmitting unit, it not only serves to transmit light, but is also transparent so that the rear side can be observed. However, when observation of the rear surface is not necessary or transmission is not required, the light blocking means is extended and disposed on the front or rear surface of the light transmission unit to prevent transmission from the rear surface. In addition, the light blocking means may serve to cover the light source 117 disposed on the side of the light transmission unit (FIG. 10). In the case of the light source, as light is emitted in all directions, some light may be exposed to the front or rear of the light transmitting unit around the light source. Therefore, in order to prevent this, by extending the light blocking means 117 to cover a part of the light transmission unit, particularly a part close to the light source, it is possible to prevent light from leaking in an undesired direction from the light source as well as the light source. In addition, when a part or all of the light transmitting part is wrapped with the light blocking means as described above, it is possible to give a new aesthetic feeling by inserting a picture or design on the front surface or the adhesive surface of the light blocking means.

The light emitting units 131 , 132a , 132b , 133 , 134a , 134b , and 135 are located at the center or side of the light transmission unit, and are located at the center in the three segments of the upper end, the central portion, and the lower end (131, 133, 135) In the four segments of the upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right, positions 132a, 132b, 134a, 134b are located on the side surfaces. The light emitting part is formed by processing a part of the light transmitting part into an intaglio, and may include a bottom part parallel to the light source direction and a wall part perpendicular to the light source direction (S2 of FIG. 5 ). That is, the wall portion may be perpendicular to the surface of the light transmission unit, and the bottom portion may be parallel to the surface of the light transmission unit.

When the light emitting unit processed as described above meets the light of the light source transmitted through total reflection, the critical angle is decreased at the wall portion installed perpendicular to the light transmitting unit, so that the wall portion transmits light (S2 in FIG. 5). However, in the case of the wall part, the light emitting part may emit light because the surface of the wall part does not form a perfect plane due to an error during processing and movement of the tool. In addition, the light passing through the wall surface reaches the bottom, and as the critical angle between the light transmitting unit and the horizontally installed floor increases, it is reflected without being transmitted to the light transmitting unit. Accordingly, the wall portion and the bottom portion emit light ( S2 in FIG. 5 ) by the light source, and light emission of the segment can be performed using this ( S2 in FIG. 5 ).

The light emitting part may be engraved to have a predetermined depth in the light transmitting part. In this case, the predetermined depth means an appropriate depth for the light transmitted by the light transmitting unit to pass through the wall or bottom surface (S2 in FIG. 5) of the light emitting unit and emit light. In this case, the light transmitting unit has a depth of 0.5 to 9 mm, Preferably, it may be 1 to 6 mm. In order for the light emitting part to smoothly emit light, it is necessary to have a certain depth, and in this case, the depth of the light emitting part is preferably 30 to 90% of the thickness of the light transmitting part. However, when the thickness is less than 0.5 mm, the thickness of the light emitting part becomes thin and does not exhibit smooth light emission, so it is preferable to have a depth of at least 0.5 mm. In addition, when the depth of the light emitting part exceeds 90% (maximum 9 mm) of the thickness of the light transmitting part, the thickness of the bottom surface of the light emitting part is thinned, so that light emission of the bottom surface is reduced and durability may be reduced.

In addition, the light emitting part may be formed in a rectangular intaglio as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , but may be simply processed to have a rough surface in a certain range on the surface of the light transmitting part. As described above, the rough surface of the light emitting unit may diffuse the light transmitted from the light transmitting unit to be diffused to the surface. Accordingly, the rough surface may act as a kind of light diffusion means. Therefore, the light of the segment can be expressed only by rough processing the surface of the light emitting part, and in this case, the thickness of the light transmitting part can be secured as much as possible, so that the durability of the light diffusion part can be increased. However, compared to the light emitting part formed in the intaglio, the amount of light emitted is reduced, and visibility is lowered from the side, so it is preferable to appropriately select and use each of the 7 segments according to the purpose of use. The rough surface may be uniformly formed by physical or chemical etching, or may be unevenly formed by hand using a tool. When physical etching is used, it is also possible to etch the entire light emitting surface evenly, and it is also possible to process the light emitting surface to have a certain shape or to repeat a certain pattern.

A light diffusion means may be included on the surface of the light emitting part. In the case of the light emitting unit, light is emitted by the light passing through the surface. At this time, a portion of the light passing through the surface is scattered, and the light emitting unit shines. However, in order to emit more light, it is necessary to strengthen the scattering shape as described above. For this purpose, light diffusion means may be installed on the surface of the light emitting unit to further enhance the light emission of the light emitting unit.

The light diffusing means is a hemispherical or columnar structure installed on the surface of the light emitting part, and the light passing through the surface of the light emitting part is diffusely reflected inside the light diffusing means and diffused to the outside, so that the surface of the light emitting part is brighter will shine In addition, since the amount of light emitted by the light-emitting means varies depending on the size and density of the light-diffusion means, the density of the light-diffusion means is reduced at a point close to the light source, and the density of the light-diffusion means is increased at a point far from the light source. It is also possible to uniformly emit light.

The light source 120 is located on the side of the light transmitting unit to supply light to the side of the light transmitting unit to cause the light emitting unit to emit light, and any light source capable of emitting light can be used without limitation. In particular, it is possible to use a filament type light bulb such as an incandescent light bulb, a discharge type light bulb such as a xenon light bulb, or an HID light bulb, and it is also possible to use a fluorescent light emitting means such as a fluorescent lamp. However, it is most preferable to use a light emitting diode (LED) for overall miniaturization and reduction of power consumption.

The light emitting diode of the present invention emits light of a wavelength corresponding to the energy bandgap when electrons and holes meet in a semiconductor having a pn junction. can be used However, if an LED that emits white other than red, blue, and green is required, a quantum dot LED may be used, or an LED that emits light by coating a blue LED with a fluorescent material that emits yellow may be used. If other colors are required, it is also possible to use a combination of LEDs that emit red, blue, and green.

The light source as described above may be disposed on the side of the 7-segment. As shown in FIG. 12 , when the position of the light source is changed for each segment, the light source may be located on the side of the 7 segment. This can be manufactured to cover only the side of the segment when not exposing the light source to the outside (see FIG. 10), so that the transparency of the 7-segment according to the present invention can be secured as much as possible. It can be collected on both sides, so it can have an excellent advantage in maintenance. To this end, the light sources may be located on both sides of the upper, middle and lower segments, and the upper left and lower left segments are on the left side, and the upper right and lower right segments are on the right side. It is preferable to position them on both sides.

In addition, 1 to 10 light sources 120 may be disposed in each segment. Therefore, 7 to 70 light sources may be disposed in the entire 7 segment, and it is preferable to adjust the number of light sources according to the amount of light required by the light emitting unit. In addition, it is preferable to use the same number of light sources for each segment, but if you want to increase the light amount of some segments, it is possible to install an additional light source to vary the light emission amount of each segment. In addition, it is also possible to install light sources of different colors in each segment so that each segment emits different colors, or install a plurality of light sources having different colors in each segment to select and use the color of segment light emission as needed. In particular, when three types of light sources that emit red, blue, and green light are arranged in each segment, different colors can be selectively used according to the combination of each color.

Each of the segments may be arranged at regular intervals. Each of the segments has a light transmitting unit through which light passes, and is transmitted to the light source unit by using the total reflection phenomenon. At this time, when the respective light transmitting parts come into contact with each other, since the density between the media becomes the same at the point of contact, the total reflection may not occur, and thus the light emitting parts of adjacent segments may unintentionally emit light. In order to prevent this, each segment is preferably arranged with an interval of 0.1 ~ 5mm. If they are arranged with an interval of less than 0.1mm, contact between the segments may occur due to an external impact.

The seven-segment may include a driver for controlling the light source and a controller for receiving an external signal and transmitting a light source control signal to the driver. The driving unit serves to transmit a current of a predetermined magnitude to the light source, and is connected to a control unit, a power source, and a light source to supply current to the light source. In this case, when the light source is used as an LED, the driving unit may drive the LED by supplying power having a voltage of 2 to 20v, and each driving unit is installed in each LED or one driving unit is installed for each segment. It is possible to control the on and off of the segment (refer to FIG. 12).

The control unit generates an on and off signal in each driving unit of the 7-segment to perform a role of displaying a number, and by designating a segment to be turned on manually or automatically and operating the driving unit, a number can be expressed in the segment. In addition, when a plurality of LEDs are disposed in the segment or a plurality of LEDs having various colors are disposed, the color and the amount of light emission can be adjusted by controlling the on and off of each LED.

In addition, 1 to 100 7 segments of the present invention may be arranged and used. One 7-segment can display one number, but when properly arranged and used, various information can be displayed. As an example, a phone number may be indicated by arranging 7 or 8 7 segments, and an amount of money may be indicated by arranging about 10 7 segments. In addition, it can be used as a calculator when combining the 7 segments and the processing device for calculation, and can also be used as a watch when the time measuring means and four 7 segments are used in combination. Accordingly, various information can be represented by appropriately arranging the 7 segments (see FIG. 12 ).

In particular, when used as a watch indicating time, the watch includes a first time display 7 segment, a second time display 7 segment, a first minute display 7 segment, and a second minute display 7 segment,

The second minute display 7 segment; supplying power to the light sources connected to the upper segment, the upper left segment, the upper right segment, the lower left segment, the lower right segment, and the lower segment, and turning off the electric power to the light source connected to the central segment; cutting off power to the upper segment, upper left segment, lower left segment and lower segment; supplying power to the light sources connected to the upper segment, the center segment, the lower left segment, and the lower segment, and cutting off power to the light sources connected to the lower right segment; supplying power to the light source connected to the lower right segment and cutting off power to the light source connected to the lower left segment; supplying power to the light source connected to the upper left segment and shutting off power to the light source connected to the upper segment and the lower segment; supplying power to the light source connected to the upper segment and the lower segment, and cutting off power to the light source connected to the upper right segment; supplying power to a light source connected to the lower left segment; supplying power to the light source connected to the upper right segment, and cutting off power to the light source connected to the upper left segment, the central segment, the lower left segment, and the lower segment; supplying power to a light source connected to the upper left segment, the middle segment, the lower left segment, and the lower segment; and repeating the steps of cutting off power to the light source connected to the lower left segment at regular time intervals according to the passage of time,

Each time the lower left segment of the second minute display 7 segment is lit 4 times after the first light, a signal is transmitted to the first minute display 7 segment,

When the first minute 7-segment receives a signal transmitted from the second minute 7-segment,

supplying power to the light sources connected to the upper segment, the upper left segment, the upper right segment, the lower left segment, the lower right segment, and the lower segment, and turning off the electric power to the light source connected to the central segment; cutting off power to the upper segment, upper left segment, lower left segment and lower segment; supplying power to the light sources connected to the upper segment, the center segment, the lower left segment, and the lower segment, and cutting off power to the light sources connected to the lower right segment; supplying power to the light source connected to the lower right segment and cutting off power to the light source connected to the lower left segment; supplying power to the light source connected to the upper left segment and shutting off power to the light source connected to the upper segment and the lower segment; and sequentially repeating the steps of supplying power to the light source connected to the upper segment and the lower segment, and cutting off power to the light source connected to the upper right segment, step by step,

Each time the lower left segment of the first minute display 7 segment is lit twice, a signal is transmitted to the second time display segment 7,

When the second time display 7 segment receives a signal transmitted from the first minute display 7 segment,

supplying power to the light sources connected to the upper right segment and the lower right segment, then cutting off power to the upper segment, the middle segment, the lower left segment, and the lower segment, and transmitting a signal to the first time display 7 segment; supplying power to the light sources connected to the upper segment, the center segment, the lower left segment, and the lower segment, and cutting off power to the light sources connected to the lower right segment; supplying power to the light source connected to the lower right segment and cutting off power to the light source connected to the lower left segment; supplying power to the light source connected to the upper left segment and shutting off power to the light source connected to the upper segment and the lower segment; supplying power to the light source connected to the upper segment and the lower segment, and cutting off power to the light source connected to the upper right segment; supplying power to a light source connected to the lower left segment; supplying power to the light source connected to the upper right segment, and cutting off power to the light source connected to the upper left segment, the central segment, the lower left segment, and the lower segment; supplying power to a light source connected to the upper left segment, the middle segment, the lower left segment, and the lower segment; powering off the light source connected to the lower left segment; supplying power to the light source connected to the lower left segment, cutting off power to the light source connected to the central segment, and transmitting a signal to the first 7 segment of the time display; cutting off power to the upper segment, upper left segment, lower left segment and lower segment; and supplying power to the light source connected to the upper segment, the center segment, the lower left segment, and the lower segment, and turning off the power to the light source connected to the lower right segment, sequentially repeating one step at a time,

When the first time display 7 segment receives a signal transmitted from the second time display 7 segment,

supplying power to a light source connected to the upper segment, upper left segment, upper right segment, lower left segment, lower right segment and lower segment; And the step of cutting off power to the upper segment, upper left segment, lower left segment, and lower segment segment may be sequentially repeated one step at a time.

In particular, the second minute display 7 segment is a crystal oscillator, a satellite positioning system (GPS, Glonass, Galileo, Beidou or Navic) to operate at regular time intervals. By receiving a signal from an atomic clock or a mechanical clock, it can operate at a predetermined time interval, and can display the time by sequentially repeating each step every minute. That is, the time is displayed by sequentially repeating each step in the second minute 7 segment every 1 minute, the first minute 7 segment every 10 minutes, and the second time 7 segment every 1 hour (FIG. 11) Reference). In addition, even if the time is indicated as described above, it is necessary to realign the 7 segments due to a time measurement error and an operation error of each 7 segment. In the transition to the next step, it is preferable to block the signal transmitted to the next segment when the switch is used to correct only each of the 7 segments. For example, if the step of the second minute display segment is moved 10 times, a signal is transmitted to the first minute display segment, and the first minute display segment goes to the next step once and displays a number, but using a switch In the case of moving 10 times, since the above signal is not generated, only the second minute display segment can be changed without changing the first minute display segment.

As a specific part of the present invention has been described in detail above, for those of ordinary skill in the art, it is clear that this specific description is only a preferred embodiment, and the scope of the present invention is not limited thereby. will be. Accordingly, it is intended that the substantial scope of the present invention be defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

100: 7 segment 111: upper part light transmission part
112a: upper left light transmitting unit 112b: upper right light transmitting unit
113: central light transmitting unit 114a: lower left light transmitting unit
114b: lower right light transmitting unit 115: lower light transmitting unit
116: light blocking means 117: light blocking means extended to the light transmitting unit
120: light source 131: upper part light emitting part
132a: upper left light emitting part 132b: upper right light emitting part
133: central light emitting part 134a: lower left light emitting part
134b: lower right light emitting part 135: lower light emitting part

Claims (11)

In a 7-segment display device in which 7 segments are arranged in a figure of 8 as a whole to display a number,
The segment is
a light transmitting unit formed of a transparent material and transmitting light generated from a light source installed on the side to the light emitting unit;
a light emitting unit located in the light transmitting unit and emitting light using diffuse reflection; and
a light source installed on one side or both sides of the light transmitting unit to irradiate light to the side of the light transmitting unit; and
The light transmitting unit includes an upper end light transmitting unit, an upper left light transmitting unit, an upper right light transmitting unit, a central light transmitting unit, a lower left light transmitting unit, a lower right light transmitting unit and a lower light transmitting unit so as to correspond to the seven segments, respectively. made,
The seven light transmission units corresponding to the seven segments are all separated from each other by a predetermined interval,
Light sources are installed on both sides or one side of the seven light transmission units,
7-segment display device using a side light source, characterized in that a light blocking means is formed on a side surface of the light transmitting unit to prevent light from entering an adjacent light transmitting unit.
The method of claim 1,
The 7-segment display device using a side light source, characterized in that the light emitting part is formed to a predetermined depth in the light transmitting part.
delete delete delete The method of claim 1,
The light emitting unit has a bottom portion parallel to the light source direction and a wall portion perpendicular to the light source direction, and the light transmitted by the light transmitting unit is diffusely reflected to the inner surface to emit light. .
7. The method of claim 6,
The 7-segment display device using a side light source, characterized in that the light emitting unit includes light diffusing means on the bottom and wall portions.
The method of claim 1,
The light source is a 7-segment display device using a side light source, characterized in that arranged on both sides of the 7-segment.
The method of claim 1,
The 7-segment 7-segment display device using a side light source, characterized in that it includes a driving unit for controlling the light source and a control unit for receiving an external signal and transmitting a light source control signal to the driving unit.
A watch comprising the 7-segment display device according to any one of claims 1 to 2 and 6 to 9.
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